316 United Newsletter 3/26/2024

Sustainability Board Meeting 3/27/24 | April Outdoor Events

Author

Randi Thimesch
March 24, 2024

March is about to turn into April. There are so many outdoor events coming up to get outdoors and enjoy the sun…unless it rains.

I am sure you’ve heard there is a total eclipse of the sun coming April 8th. It is only a partial eclipse in Wichita, however, there are places nearby where one can drive to see total darkness. if you missed the article in the Wichita Eagle here’s deets where to go. I am going to join the crazies and drive to central Texas to join some relatives for this once-in-a-lifetime event. It will be awesome…unless it rains.

We at 316 United, wish Kim Neufeld, Executive Director of Bike Walk Wichita, the best of luck in her new job. After 13 years of serving BWW, she has officially accepted a new position with the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO). Kim has been the heart and soul of BWW and we know she will be missed. Her knowledge of Wichita will be an important asset to WAMPO

Update on the Lawn Care Rebates: All $5000 in rebates for electric lawn care items have been claimed. There is still an opportunity to receive a $30 rebate for mulch blades - no recycling required. More information about the program is here. if you support rebate programs that encourage homeowners to be more sustainable, email your local district councilperson Last year’s rebate program which supported water conservation was well received, and the funds for those rebates were also quickly exhausted.

Sustainability Integration Board of Wichita

The next Sustainability Integration Board meeting is Wednesday, March 27th at 5:30pm at the Advanced Learning Center Library, 2nd floor boardroom.. This is an earlier beginning time than usual as they will be working on their sustainability goals for the next twenty five years. This meeting is open to the public both in-person and by Zoom.

If you have missed earlier newsletters, the Sustainability Integration Board was established in Sept. 2021 as a collaboration with residents, schools, businesses and other partners to advise the City Council and City staff about sustainability matters affecting the Wichita’s long-term livability. Take a look at their webpage to learn more about their goals. There are representatives from all of Wichita’s six districts who serve on the board and they will be glad to have a conversation with you about Wichita’s long-term sustainability goals.

April 22 is the official Earth Day but 316 United’s team believes Earth Day is every day. Our upcoming Earth Day United Event on April 20th is a way to celebrate our planet Earth and give you more ideas and resources to live sustainably. Be sure to introduce yourself to the organizers. We love to meet more of our fellow environmental advocates.

316 United has a Facebook page dedicated to all the Earth Day events in Wichita. If your business or nonprofit is having an event or special day in April to celebrate our planet, you are invited to share it here.

Until next time, all my best

Randi Thimesch

Sat. April 20, 1pm - 4pm Unity of Wichita, 2160 N Oliver, Event by 316 United. Join us for afternoon of engaging activities for all ages to show love of our planet. Participate in hands-on experiences to boost your environmental consciousness. Discover how to champion clean water, tree planting, and sustainability. Unleash your creativity with DIY Solar Installation ideas. Connect with fellow green lifestyle enthusiasts.

Our awesome sponsors: Unity of Wichita's Earthcare Team, Sierra Club Southwind Group, ICT Trees, Citizens Climate Lobby, Drive Electric ICT, Metal Mija, and Fuzzy's Taco Shop.

Activities provided by: WSU Go Green team, Bike Walk Wichita, Wichita Public Library with the Book Bus, ICT Tree Huggers, Urban Garth, Unity of Wichita, League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro, and more added weekly!

We are looking for more sponsors and vendors. Send us an email to [email protected].

You can find links to register for the event and find our past newsletters at https://linktr.ee/316united

P.S. - Our Facebook page has mysteriously disappeared from FaceBook’s sandbox. Who knows what we did wrong, we were not notified. The good news is - you can still reach us by email or through my Facebook page, Randi Thimesch.

Have you given your feedback for WAMPO’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan? The website is open for public comments until April 11, 2024

Wildflower Walks


Thurs. March 28th, 6pm. Event by Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E 29th St N, Wichita.
The last Thursday of every month at 6pm we will hold a Wildflower Walk in the park, talking about what's in bloom and other notable plants and trees. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions, learn native plants, and just have fun! We will meet by the large Great Plains Nature Center rock that is in the large parking lot, west of the building at 6pm and depart around 6:05. Bring water, dress to be outdoors, and maybe carry a journal if you feel like taking notes!

fb.me/e/4hgof60Ja

K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series: Companion Plants in Your Garden

Wednesday, April 3 at 12:00pm to 1:00pm on Zoom. Many gardeners have heard that marigolds repel pests in vegetable gardens or that beans dislike fennel. These sentiments are often attributed to a practice called "companion planting." But does companion planting really work? Join Horticulture Agents Pam Paulsen and Laura Phillips for a discussion on the research behind companion planting as we dispel common myths and discuss which benefits companion planting can offer your garden.

ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lXljvtedRu-pvfFA6Kzvxw#/registration

Tools & Treasures Sale

Thursday, April 4th through Saturday, April 6th, 2024 Event by K-State Research & Extension Sedgwick County, 7001 W 21st St N, Wichita, KS New and gently used gardening tools, containers/planters, bird feeders/bird houses, and other miscellaneous gardening items will be for sale. Plan to attend and snag some great deals while supporting the Extension Master Gardener Program. Admission is FREE. Don’t wait to attend. The best items go fast.

events.k-state.edu/event/tools_treasures_sale_6587?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=Events

Get Out and Walk Sculpture Stroll

Sat April 6th 11am - 5pm Ulrich Museum of Art WSU, 1845 Fairmount; Wichita, KS Participate in National Take a Walk Outdoors Day and explore the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection. Join us for tips for staying mentally and physically healthy from our partners onsite. We'll have a food truck, s'mores, mindfulness sessions, all ages art activities, and a sculpture scavenger hunt. Check in for this event in the Ulrich Museum lobby when you arrive. This event is free and everyone is welcome

fb.me/e/5qdgSadEB

2024 Ark River Clean-up

Sat. April 27th 9am-Noon 151 N Waco, The Ark River Clean-Up is an event sponsored by Cargill, the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands & Streams, the City of Wichita, and numerous partners. Volunteers at the Clean-Up will receive an event shirt and a free lunch (while supplies last). Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Editor’s note - this is a big event, register early, arrive early.

https://brushfire.com/arkrivercleanup/arkrivercleanup2024/569711?fbclid=IwAR2EeKsgZjzPT4FYNGKpeANwV39EXVpljwtk9bglt3hpSbqupjqpYViixis

Events happening weekly

Seedings Start and Care

Every Thursday, 9:30am-11:30am. Event by ICT Farms. 9800 W York St. We will be watering, up-potting, and planting. If you need a chair, bring your own. Thomas will need to let you in, so if arrive at a different time, text him at 3163126051

fb.me/e/5aTTJBu5F

Run / Walk event every Tuesday with Manuel Lopez

Enjoy the outdoors while improving your health and wellness! Explore downtown Wichita while staying fit! Meet new friends who share a passion for fitness. Free and open to all fitness levels! Time: 6pm. Where: The Keeper of the Plains. Distance: 2 miles.

Every Saturday »Kansas Grown! Farmers Market - Event Calendar!

Kansas Grown! farmers markets offer a variety of special events throughout the year, including Kids' Day, Tomato Fest, Stone Soup Day, and many others.

www.kansas-grown.com/event-calendar

RECYCLE - REUSE - RECYCLE

Time to clean out your garage, basement, closets, and shed!

Dispose your electric devices safely and free of charge. Computers** Laptops** Printers** Television sets**Cell phones** Batteries (terminals must be taped)** Tablets** E-readers** VCR/DVR/DVD players**Blu-ray players**Network devices** (ie: routers, hubs, modem**Peripherals components** (i.e. hard drives, keyboards, mice, cables, cords**CD-ROMs,circuit boards, power supplies) Pagers** PDA** Phones** Scanners** Fax-machines** Digital converter boxes**Cable/satellite receivers** Portable music player**Audio-visual equipment

This event is for residents and businesses, excluding businesses that sell or recycle electronic.

Sedgwick County E-Waste Collection April 18-20 and April 25-2

Do you have other items you would like to recycle? Sedgwick County Environmental Services has a webpage which explains what can be recycled and where. It is important to remember that this list often changes, so check back before you make your recycling plan.

You always feel better when you leave the recycling center

DID YOU KNOW…

Pro Kansas Recycling Center sets aside gently-used moving boxes of all sizes for reuse. A nominal cash donation is appreciated to help with the Center’s expenses.

For more information about what Pro Kansas Recycling Center accepts, please refer to this document. The Center is open 3 times a week. Check the website for the hours it is open.

ICT Treehuggers needs your unwanted t-shirts to share with their gardening friends. Button down long sleeved shirts are also welcomed to protect arms from the sun and brambles. Down off your donation at Lola Candle Company, 1029 W Douglas, Suite 101, Dummy Apparel Company, 2721 E Central, Suite 205, Sunflour Cafe and Collective, 6120 W Central Ave. Deadline: June 1, 2024. For more information call 316.573.8161 or email [email protected]

For more information about ICT Treehuggers and how you can volunteer, check out their Linktr.ee - https://linktr.ee/ictreehuggers

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